Cartridge for small-arms, machine-guns, and the like



H. GREENER.

CARTRIDGE FOR SMALL ARMS, MACHINE GUNS, AND THE LIKE. APPucAnoN mso SEPT. 13.1918.

1,376,530. Patented May 3, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

2235) Gruner' .[n/enor y ,am @im y H. GREENER. CARTRIDGE FOR SMALL' ARMSjII/IACHINE GUNS, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-13,1918. 1,376,530.

2 SHEETS-S Patented May 3,1921.

HEET 2.

' Fig/3 y We Be it, known that I, HARRY UNITED STATE-'s PA-'ENT OFFICE.

HARRY GREENER, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Maya, 1 921.

Application led September 13, 1918. lSerial No. 253,975.

To all/whom z't may concern:

GREENER, subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and resident of Birmingham, in the v'county of Warwick, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cartridges for Small-Arms, Machine-Guns,- and the like, of which the following is ai l specification.

- This invention has reference to rifle, machine-gun and like cartridges or vammunition of the kind in which' a plurality of projectiles `are disposed one in advance of another in front of apropelling charge,

with the object of. providing for the simultaneous firing ofa number of projectiles at one discharge from a single barrel.

If several solid elongated bulletsr are y placed one in front of another in the case of an ordinary rifle cartridge with the .ob- Ject of obtaimng somewhat the effect of a shot-gun, the result will be quite unsatis factory as, owing to the bullets being in direct contact with one another and to the manner in {which gas pressure would be transmitted 'to'them,. the would upset at the muzzle and lose the lnitial rotation .imparted to them by the riling. l Theywould also, by tumbling end-"over-end, quickly lose forward velocity and powerof penetration, and accurate shooting, even at short ranges, would be an impossibility.

It has been realized that, to obtain accurate shooting with ammunition of this kind, it is essential to effect the separation of `the respective bullet-elements during their passage along the bore of the barrel, or

.illustrated, by way of examples, several methods of-carrying my invention into prac'- ticalefl'ect in connection with rifle and machine-gun ammunition.

Figure- 1 is a longitudinal section of a rifle cartridge in which three elongated projectiles or bullet elements are provided.

Fig. 2 is also a longitudinal section showing a similar cartridge in which the plural bullet elements are somewhat differently formed.

Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive illustrate several forms of gas passages which differ from the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of a plural bullet cartridge having a modified form'of case.

Fig. v8 is a view in which the case is shown in section to expose `the 'several `bullets in Fig. 9 is a view showing both the bulletv containing part of the .cartridge and the bullets themselves in section. l

Figs. 10 and 11 are transverse sections taken respect'rtely on the lines mand m in Fig. 9 showing internal gas passages produced by the inward crimping of the walls of the cartridge case. i Y

Fig. 12 illustrates vin longitudinal and transverse sections the several bullets detached and separated. 'y

Figs. 13 and 14 are views in elevationand transverse section respectively illustrating a modified method of producing the gas passages.

Figs. 15 and 16 are views similar'to Flgs.

13 and 14 showing a further modification.

Fig.` 17 illustrates another method in which the casing is formed withl annular grooves so as to present longitudinal cor-r ruga'tions. l

Figs. v18 and 19 illustrate a. further Cdevelopment of the invention in ,which the leading element is located outside the case while being firmly or rigidly but separately connected with the next element.

Figs. 20 and 21 are views inelevation and longitudinal' section respectively showing a modified construction of plural bullet in which the separation of .the s/everal bullets is effected by fracture incidental to the pressure of gas developed' in the gas passage.

l Accordingto one form of. the invention (which is shown in Fig. 1 of the saiddrawings in its application toa caliber .380 rifle cartridge.) the cartridge embodies or is provided with three elongated projectiles or bullet-elements a, b, and c, which are secured in axial alinement in the neck of the cartridge shell. Th-e foremostelement a, which is solid and may be shaped like the nose or pointed portion of an ordinary bullet, may be so fixed in the shell that the same mainly projects beyond the front of the neck, and its base is preferably cupped, dished, or recessed at al. The other two ele` ments and e areeach bored with an axial hole or gas-passageV (bi1, c1) each merging. at its forward end, into a conical or cupped enlargement (b2, a2) which constitutes a small gas-expansion chamber, and which,

when the elementsv are in position in the cartridge, is opposed to the base of the element in front of it. f

The gas-passages b1, c1, are of different calibers, the hole in the rearmost or innermost section being (as in the cartridge shown in Fig. 1)"made larger in the bore than the hole in the next or intermediate element, and' if desired, the holes may be fitted with hard metal liners to prevent displacement of the softer-metal body parts of the elements by the passage-of the powder gases.

In this particular cartridge, the initial separation and independent departure of the projectiles is insured by the use of bulletelements having gas-passages of different calibers as described; it being understood that as the bore of the passage in the innermost element is larger than that in the next element, the gas-passage formations exercise a controlling or regulating effect which so distributes the gas pressure over the severalV elements that the leading or nose element is driven first from the cartridge case, fol-v lowed in succession by Vthe'other elements.

That is to say, the elements are separated at or from the very commencement of their movement and are kept separate or apart during their passage along the bore of the barrel by the volumes of gas that drive forward through the holes in the said elements,

'which not only realizes the desired independent departure' of each element at the muzzle but also enables the individual elements to retaini the axial rotation imparted by the barrel rifiing in just the same way as a single bullet would do.

It is to be understood that the relative proportions of the bore-dimensions of the gas passages in the inner elements should be selected with proper regard to the weight of the respective projectiles so as to realize an equalized distribution of the gas pressure over the whole of the said elements,`and further, by suitably varying the factorsof the bullet-element weight and the relative boredimensions of the gas passages, or both, provision may be made for insuring the discharge of each element at the same velocity,

or, alternatively, to impart relatively higher velocity to the leading element or elements so as to attain increasing separation of the projectiles during their Hight through the air.

Fig. 2 shows a section of another .380 cartridge', wherein the plural-bullet elements are rather differently formed to those of the cartridge shown in Fig. l. Here each of the elements a, b, and o, has a dished or concaved base a3, b3, c3, and the noses of the elongated elements are rounded or shaped so that, when they are secured in the cartridge-case, there exist between c and b, and between b anda, spaces within which the gases driven through the passagescl, and b1, Vcan expand to assist the initial separation of the said elements. The number of bullet-elements embodied in a cartridge may be varied as desired, as also may the size and shape of the elements and the disposition and' cross-sectional shape of the gas-passages, according to the effects desired in regard to the separation of the said elements and their relative velocities.

Further, instead of the gas-passages being axial as shown in Fig. 1, they may pass yobliquely from the base to the front (see Fig.

3); or there may be two (or more) holes formed either in parallel directions through the bullet (Fig. 4) or in oblique relationship to one another (Fig. 5) the rear ends of such holes preferably starting in a recess or sinkf 'solid projectiles or bullet-elements.

According to one method of realizing this part of the cartridge case wherein the bulletelements are contained, and inward of the neck of the said case, a series of longitudi nal grooves produced by inwardly displacing .the metal aleng straight .or spiral llnes at effect, I propose to' form, inthe walls of the suitable angular distances apart around the case, so that when the bullet-elements are in position in said grooved or crimpled portion of the case, there will exist between the bullets andrthe inside of the said case, a series of separated passages or clearances wherethrough'. powder-gases may proceed to act upon and independently propel the bulletelements in front of the rearmost or innermost elements.` j

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 12inclusive in thiscartridge, therefare three solid bullet-elements a, b, and c, shaped as shown in the sectional view, Fig. 9, and the walls of the cartridge case d, immediately below the vneck' all, are formed with longitudinal crimpines (Z2 walls oi5 the case and the bullets that are Contained' in the crimped portion, a. series of interna-l gas passages @which are open at the lower ends to the part of the case that -Contains the propelling charge while their upper ends are closed by the neck.

These passages e 'provide for' the transmis?.

sion of gas-pressure from the propelling charge to the expansion spacethat exists at f between the inner 'bullet c and the middle one and enable the' separation and independent propulsion of the latter to be effected. If desired', the passages produced by the crimping may be adapted. for also transmitting gas .pressure into the expansion space between the bullets b and a for similarly effecting the separation and propulsion of the leading or nose element a, but in the ,particular construction shown in Figs. 7 to 12, the transmission of gas pres.

sure to the -leading bullet is provided for by forming, in the periphery of the front portion of the middle bullet b, a series of grooves or gas passages b1 which communicate at their inner ends, with the case passages e andfat their forward ends with the expansion space between the bullets@ and b.

The relative sizes or cross-sectional areas of the passages e and b1 are selected so that they will control Ithe distributienet the gasv pressures over the bases of the bullets a and b in accordance `with the general principleinvolved inV my invention; the casepassages e being made of larger sectional area thanthe middle bullet. 4

In this particular cartridge, all the bullets have pointed noses and the bases of 'the bullets a and b are formed with cups or recesses at a2, b2, into which the noses of` the bullets behind them socket or telescope;v the said socketingparts being shaped so that there will exist between the bullets a and 6,' and also between b and c, the necessary expansion spaces into which the powder gases are conveyed by the gas-passage system to effect the early separationof the various elements.

lThe base of the'bullet b in which the passage-grooves` b1 are formed is left solid so that the solid or ungrooved part b3 may take andfill the riiing of a barrel and act as agas check; similar gas-checks a3, c3,

l being also formed at thebases of the bullets a and c.

Instead of forming the case with a series of separated grooves or the like, the bulletcontaining portion inward of the neck may be made of corrugated cross-section as shown in Figs-13 and 14 to `produce a series of contiguous straight (or spiral) internal gas-passages e all around the cirto produce, between the innerl passages or grooves b1 inthe' cumference; or instead of displacing the metal to produce the required longitudinal or spiral passages or gas clearances, the

same effect may be attained by cutting ormachining internal grooves or channels in the metal of the case.

Further, instead of formin the case with grooves, corrugations or the like, to produce internal channels or passages for gas, much the same result may beY attained by indenting the bullet-containing part of the case at sultable points (see Figs. 15 and 16) to produce a series of internal studs or `in longitudinal section along the part that` 'incloses'the innermost bullet-elements', and

this corrugated portion is adapted, under the action of the powder gases, .to straighten or flatten out, or assume a more or less cylindrical formation, thus producing, be-

tween the insideof the case and the periphl eries of the bullet elements, clearances wherethrough gases can pass to act-against the leading elements as in the previously-l described forms of the invention. ,7

The Whole of the constructions above described are adapted for use with bullet-- elements which have eitherpointed noses ocr cupped or concaved bases or both, or are otherwise shapedso that there will exist,

between the front of one element and the base of the next, a space within which the ,gases directed thereinto 'by the case (or case and bullet).formations may expand to effect the necessary separation of the sev` eral elements durlng their passage along l the lead and bore of a rifled barrel.

In all these applications of the invention certain of thej bullet-elements contained or inclosed in cartridge-cases may be formed with one or'more longitudinal depressions or grooves that act as supplementary gaspassages for assisting thev direction of the gases into the spaces between the elements, but preferably and in order to reduce or obvi'ate gas-leakage past the said elements during their passage along a ried bore, the said grooves or depressions arei of short length only and do not open to orcommunicate with lthe rear or base end of the element.

In applying my. invention t'o a .303 or similar short-necked .cartridge having a pointed bullet which extends some distance beyond the front of the neck, I may, according to a further modification or development of my original invention, adopt a plural bullet in which the pointed leading or,-1ose element a (which may be located lwholly outside the case as shown in eleva- 'i tion in Fig. 18 and in section in Fig. 19) is firmly or rigidly but separably connected to the next element b by -solme suitable method or means which will admit of the separa- .tion and propulsion of the two elements by the action of thefpowder gases when the propelling charge is fired. In the cartridge represented in the said Figs. 18 and 19, the

connection between the socketed or'telescop- Ving ends of the two bullets is made by crimping or closing the base of the bullet a into a an axial gas passage b5 to provide for the transmission of gas pressure to effect the separation of the said bullets on discharge of the cartridge.

A plural-bullet comprising two elements connected in this way may be embodied in a cartridge case having internal gas passages produced orformed by any of the methods herein referred to; the cartridge shown in Figs. 18 and 19 having longitudinal crimpings as' in Figs. 7 to 12 wherethrough gasesl generated by the ignition of the propelling charge are driven into'the expansion s ace between the bullets b and c and from w 'ch expansion space gases also drive through the axialgas-passage of the bullet b for effect- 1ng the se aration and propulsion of the un-inclose nose-bullet a This method of separably connecting the bullet-elements may also be applied to cartridges in which the base of the leading or nose element is inclosed or secured within the neck of the case. f'

Bullet-elements arranged as in Figs. 18 and 19 may alternatively be connected by metal errules, rings, bushes, or the like, adapted to burst and release the elements vunder gas pressure.

sa e.

It is considered that the above-described invention enables a given propellant charge to be utilized more efliciently, or with maximum advantage, owing to theffact that the energy developed on discharge is distributed oveior exerted simultaneously upon` groove b4 1n the nose or front of the bullet band the said bullet b is formed with the bases or ends of a number of projectiles instead of being concentrated on one bullet. Moreover, the nature of the resistance to gas-pressure set up by a series of bullet-elements departing in succession from a cartridge-case has been found to result in a much more complete combustion of the propellant charge than is normally realized, and this factor enables a given charge to efficiently propel a series of bullets whose aggregate weight exceeds that of any single bullet which could be electively propelled by the, same charge; the greater resistance to the developed pressure imposed by the greater bullet weight being compensated bythe higher pressure resulting from the complete burning of the charge and the manner in which such pressure is controlled and distributed.

Having described Vmy invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. A cartridge comprisin 'a.case, a plurality of bullets carried t ereby and arranged in axial alinement, and a propelling charge disposed in the case solely and entirely in the rear of the innermost bullet, gas spaces being provided between the successive bullets ada ted to communicate with one another to effgct the initial separation and independent departure of the several bullets by the as pressure developed solely by the ignition of the propelling charge.

2. A cartridge comprising acase, a plurality of bullets carried thereby and arranged in axial alinement, a propelling charge disposed in the case solely and entirely in the rear of the innermost bullet, the cartridge being provided with gas spaces between the successive bullets, and gas passages for transmitting the gas. pressure tothe gas spaces.

3. A cartridge comprising a case, a plurality of bullets carried thereby and arranged in axial alinement a propelling charge disposed in thecase solely and entirely in the rear of the innermost bullet, thecartridge being rovided with gas spaces between the successlve bullets, and gas pas-- sages for transmitting the gas pressure to the gas spaces the passages being formed in the cartrldge case. y y

4. A cartridge comprising a case a plurality of bullets carried thereby and arranged in axial alinement a propelling charge disposed in the case solely and entirely in the rear of the innermost bullet the cartridge being provided with gas spaces between the successive bullets and gas. passages for transmitting the gas pressure to the gas spaces the gas passages being formed by crimpings in the cartridge case below the neck thereof.

5. A cartridge comprising a case a plurality of bullets carried thereby 'and ary y ranged in axial alinement, a propelling 'charge disposed in the case solely and entirely in @he rear ofthe innermost b'ullet, the V5 Acartridge being provided with gas spaces between' the bullets and gas passages for trans` l y:hitting thegas pressure lto the gasspaees the gas spaces being formed partly in the cartridge ease and partly in the periphery of the inolose'd bullet.

In testimony whereof I aix my signafure.

. HARRY GREENER. 4 

